Raptors hang on to edge Pacers

Nov 14, 2012 - 6:38 AM
Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors nearly blew another
double-digit lead to the Indiana Pacers, but survived five potential game-
tying or go-ahead shots in the final 22.9 seconds to come away with a 74-72
victory.

The Raptors, coming off a triple-overtime loss to the Jazz on Monday, played
front-runner most of the night, then shot a pitiful 1-of-15 from the field in
the fourth quarter.

The dreadful showing allowed the Pacers to pull within two points down the
stretch, but David West, Paul George and George Hill all missed in the closing
seconds to give Toronto its first road win of the season and second overall.

"We deserved to win this game," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said.

Jose Calderon posted his first career triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists
and 10 rebounds while DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points for the Raptors, who have
blown four double-digits leads this season, including in its season opener
against the Pacers.

Hill, the hero in that Oct. 31 contest with a late bucket, scored a game-high
18 points in defeat.

Indiana shot just 32 percent for the game, but almost clawed back from a 15-
point deficit in the second half thanks to Toronto's cold streak.

Hill netted eight points in the fourth quarter, including two on a tough layup
to pull within 71-68 with 3:54 remaining.

The Pacers missed their next four shots, however, and three Toronto free
throws pushed the margin to six points with under two minutes to play.

A pair of George free throws followed by a Hill bucket made it a one-
possession game. Amir Johnson missed a 3-point try from the top of the key to
give the ball back to Indiana with under 40 seconds on the clock.

West missed twice in the paint, but tapped the second rebound back to George
in the left corner. George was also off the mark but chased down the long
carom and called timeout with 13.8 ticks left.

Hill drew iron out of the timeout, and again the rebound came back to George,
whose 15-footer at the buzzer hit nothing but rim.

"We got good looks at the end but it was really frustrating that we couldn't
get the ball to go down," Hill said.

Calderon and DeRozan combined to shoot 8-of-9 from the field in the first
quarter for 18 total points as the Raptors jumped out to a 29-21 lead.

The Pacers scored 13 of the first 17 points of the game, but went cold the
rest of the half. They were behind by as many as 14 in the second quarter and
went into the break trailing, 46-36.

A free-throw filled third quarter ended with the Raptors in front, 69-58.

Game Notes

The Pacers had won four straight in the series and seven in a row at home ...
Toronto's previous win in Indiana came on Feb. 25, 2008 ... The Pacers had 23
fastbreak points to Toronto's four ... George and West netted 12 and 11
points, respectively, but combined to shoot 23 percent (6-of-26) from the
field.